It looks like Activision’s Liverpool-based studio Bizarre Creations may be getting shut down. Several sources close to the studio say about 200 staff members have been put on 90-day notice. It’s not a forgone conclusion that the studio will be closed though. It could simply lead to downsizing, and in a statement released by Activision today it also looks like selling Bizarre is another possibility.
"Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience.
Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business."
The developers are known for Geometry Wars, the Project Gotham Racing series, Blur, and the recently released James Bond 007: Blood Stone. Back in 2007 Activision payed $67.4 million to acquire the studio.
[Develop]
[IGN]
